Flotation apparatus



July 11, 1944. H. E. HElGls r-:TAL 2,353,161

FLOTATION APPARATUS Filed Deo. 50, 1941 Patented July 11, 1944 FLOTATION APPARATUS Henry Ernest Heigls, West Orange, and Theodore Norrison Hannant, Cedar Grove, N. J., assignors to Specialties Development Corporation. Bloomfield, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 30, 1941, Serial No. 424,870

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus adapted to be filled or inflated with a fluid pressure medium; and more particularly relates to flotation apparatus, or the like, adapted to be filled with a fluid pressure medium supplied at either a low or high pressure.

Flotation equipment or apparatus, such as life rafts, life vests and life belts are provided aboard seagoing vessels or the like, and may be used in emergencies for lifesaving purposes or may be used for effecting landing operations. Such apparatus may comprise one or more flotation compartments adapted to receive a fluid pressure medium, such as compressed air or any suitable gas. The flotation compartments may be constructed of flexible or rigid material and usually are adapted tosafely withstand a filling pressure not much greater than about 100 pounds per square inch. v

In order to fill, charge or inflate the compartments of the flotation apparatus, compressed air is supplied aboard the vessels and is conducted to suitably located outlets or stations where it may be used for various purposes, including its use for filling or inflating the compartments.V A 'common practice, particularly aboard naval vessels and vessels of the armed forces, is to provide either a source of low pressure compressed air having a pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch or a source of high pressure compressed air having a pressure of about 3000 pounds per square inch. In many instances, particularly on large vessels, both a low and high pressure source may be provided, and these may be located side by side at the outlet stations.

\ In cases where vessels are provided with either a source of low or high pressure filling medium,

the flotation equipment must be adapted to be filled with the medium available. Thus, for example, flotation apparatus designed to be filled with compressed air having a pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch, could not be used on a vessel having only a source of high pressure filling medium. Also, a low pressure medium would fill too slowly flotation apparatus designed to be filled with a high pressure medium.

Among the difficulties which may be encoun' tered where both a high and low pressure medium are available, is that an untrained or careless crew member may use the high pressure medium for filling lifesaving apparatus designed to withstand only a low pressure. Also, in the excitement which may prevail during an emergency, the

high pressure medium may be used inadvertently;

or, in the event the low pressure supply has failed,

the high pressure source may be tried as a last resort. In all these cases the high pressure source would damage the flotation equipment, whereby the lives of the persons relying upon the lifesaving apparatus would be endangered.

The present invention aims to overcome these difficulties by providing lifesaving flotation devices adapted to be filled or inflated with either a low or high pressure medium in a practical and expeditious manner without damage to the flotation compartments.

An object of the present invention is to fill or inflate flotation equipment or the like with either A a high or low pressure medium.

Another object is to provide flotation equipment having a filling or infiating device adapted to admit a low pressure medium having a predetermined pressure which the flotation compartments can withstand and adapted to restrict the flow and reduce the pressure of a high pressure medium which normally would damage the flotation compartments.

Another object is to provide a compact device particularly adapted for use in connection with the filling or inflating fitting or manifold of flotation equipment.

Another object is to provide a device for flotation equipment which enables both high and low pressure compressed air, or the like, to be utilized as a filling or inflating medium.

Another object is to provide a device of the foregoing type which also serves as a check valve for retaining the pressure medium in the flotation compartments.

A further object consists in the combination of elements and arrangement of parts, whereby the foregoing objects may be accomplished.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a life raft or lifeboat embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along line 2 2 on Figure 1, illustrating a flow restricting device used in carrying out the invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a modified device adapted to control the pressure of the medium admittedto the flotation compartments and also adapted to act as a check valve for confining the medium fn the compartments.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a lifeboat I comprising a bottom I I and a pair of inatable otation compartments I2 providing the sides of the boat. Preferably, at the bow of the boat a iitting I4 is attached to the compartments which may be a manifold comprising a pair of branches I5, each adapted to conduct and introduce a' iluld pressure filling medium to one of the compartments. The pressure medium may be conducted to the branches of the manifold by a suitable hose or the like (not shown), adapted to be connected to an inlet coupling I6 associated With the manifold fitting. The foregoing described arrangement is illustrative of one form of lifeboat, and it will be understood that other types of flotation devices, generally may comprise one or more compartments, a fitting for introducing the pressure medium, and an inlet coupling associated with -the fitting.

In accordance with the invention, the inlet coupling I6 may house valve means for admitting a low pressure medium to the compartments and for reducing the rate of flow and the pressure of a high pressure medium to render it adaptable for filling the compartments. Generally, this may be accomplished by a device provided with an aperture for reducing the rate of ow and the pressure of a high pressure medium and provided with a passage or passages for admitting a low pressure medium adapted to be closed when a high pressure medium is supplied. I

In Figure 2 an inlet coupling I6 is illustrated in detail, which may comprise a tubular member 2li having e. threaded collar 22 formed integral with the iitting I`4 or secured thereto by a threaded nipple portion 2l; and a sleeve member 24, internally threaded for receiving the collar 22 and having a threaded nipple portion 25 for attaching a coupling of an air hose or pipe (not shown) adapted to supply the pressure medium to the compartments. The nipple portion 25 has an inlet bore 26 for admitting a pressure medium to the inlet coupling valve I6 and the nipple portion 2l has an outlet bore 21 for directing the pressure medium to the fitting I4. The members 20 and 24 have co-operating enlarged bores 29 and 30 providing a chamber for housing the valve means, about to be described.

The collar 22, at its inwardly extending end, provides a shoulder 3l for an annular gasket member 32, and the sleeve member 24 has an annular undercut or recess 34 for receiving the gasket and has a shoulder 35 for urging the gasket against the shoulder 3l when the members 20 and 24 are threaded together. The gasket 32 provides a valve seat for a valve member 36, slidably disposed in the bore 30 of the sleeve member 24.

The valve member 36, illustrated herein, may comprise a tubular cylindrical portion 31, the outer wall of which engages the inner Wall of the bore 30; a substantially frusto-conical portion 39, adapted to engage the gasket member; and a cylindrical or circular apex portion 40 adapted to extend into the bore 29 of the collar 22 when the portion 39 is seated on the gasket. Normally, the valve member is maintained in unseated position by a cylindrical helica1 spring 4I having a desired In order to permit the passage of a low pressure filling or iniiating medium from the bore 24 to the bore 21 of the inlet coupling. the frustoconical portion is provided with a series of passages or apertures 44 adapted to conduct the low pressure medium from the bore 30, past the gasket 32 to the bore 29 when the valve member is unseated. The apex portion has an aperture 45 for conducting a pressure medium from the bore 30 to the bore 29 when the valve member is either seated or unseated.

The spring 4I urges the valve member away from the gasket 32 and is adapted to maintain the valve member in this position when a pressure medium having a pressure not much greater than about pounds per square inch is introduced, whereby the pressure medium may pass through the passages 44 and the aperture 45. The spring is adapted to yield when a pressure medium having a pressure substantially greater than 100 pounds per square inch is introduced, whereby the frusto-conical portion is driven against the gasket. When the valve member is in this position, the passages 44 are shut oil' by the gasket and the pressure medium is adapted to pass only through the aperture 45. The aperture 45 is of a size which will restrict the iiow of a high pressure medium and will reduce its pressure to enable it to be used for filling compartments adapted to withstand a filling pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch. With the foregoing described arrangement a pressure medium having a pressure of about 3000 pounds per square inch may be safely utilized for filling or lntlating the compartments.

In Figure 3 a slightly diiierent coupling unit I6 is illustrated. The unit comprises an inner tubular member 2U', formed integral with the fitting I4 or secured thereto by a threaded nipple portion 2l and having a threaded sleeve or collar portion 22; and an outer sleeve member 24', internally threaded for receiving the threaded sleeve portion 22 and threaded on the exterior for attaching a coupling or an air hose (not shown) to the unit. The free end of the member 24 has an inlet bore 25', the nipple portion 2|' has an outlet bore 21 and the sleeve portion 22' has an enlarged cylindrical bore 28 providing a chamber intermediate the bores 28' and 21' for housingvalve means, about to be described.

The sleeve member 24', at the interior, has a shoulder 50 adjacent the inner end of the bore 26 for positioning an annular gasket 5I adapted to be held in place by the free end of the collar or sleeve portion 22 when the members 20 and 24 are threaded together. The bore 28 of the sleeve portion 22', at its end adjacent the bore 21', has a shoulder 52 for receiving an. annular gasket 53.

A valve member 54 is slidably disposed in the bore 28 providing the valve chamber, intermediate the gaskets 5I and 53. The valve member 54 may be substantially cup-shaped and comprises a substantially tubular cylindrical sleeve portion Il having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending fiutes or passages 56 on its outer periphery and having a wall 51 closing one end thereof. An aper-r ture 58 extends through the sleeve portion 55 of the valve member and establishes communication between one of the passages 55 and the interior of the sleeve portion. The closed end of the valve member is positioned adjacent the inlet bore gasket 5I which is adapted to be engaged by an annular rib 59 on the end wall to close the inlet bore 2l'. The other end or open end ofthe valve member may be provided with a rib Il adapted to engage the outlet bore gasket IJ to close the outlet bore 21'. i

The valve member normally is urged towards the inlet bore 2B by a cylindrical helical spring 6l having one end extending into the sleeve portion of the valve member and having its other end seated on the shoulder 52 adjacent the outlet bore 21'. The spring is tensioned to hold the rib 59 against the gasket 5i when no pressure medium is introduced at the inlet of the coupling unit. However, when a low pressure medium having a pressure not much greater than 100 pounds per square inch is introduced, the spring is adapted to yield and permit the valve member to be moved away from the gasket li, but out of contact with the gasket 53. The low pressure medium is then adapted to flow through the flutes or passages 56, past the gasket Il and into the notation compartments. When a high pressure medium having a pressure substantially higher than 100 pounds per square inch is introduced, the pressure on the valve member overcomes the spring and forces the rib 60 of the valve member against the gasket 53 to shut oil' the flutes or passages. The pressure medium now enters by way of the aperture 58, which reduces the rate of flow and the pressure of the medium, so that the pressure medium passing through the gasket aperture and the bore 21' is supplied to the compartments at a relatively low pressure. After the lcompartments have been filled, charged or infiated and the air hose is uncoupled and removed from the unit I6', the spring 6i is adapted to move the valve member toward the gasket li and cause the rib 59 to engage the gasket. The valve member then acts as a check valve for preventing the escape of the pressure medium in the compartments.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides improved flotation devices adapted to be filled with either a low or high pressure medium. The flow restricting devices for effecting this improvement are readily combined with standardized fittingsA for introducing the pressure medium to the flotation compartment. The devices are readily installed in existing flotation equipment to render the equipment suitable for high and low pressure filling. y

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limited sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, `and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to f all therebetween.

We claim:

l. In apparatus of the combination of a flotation compartment, a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a fluid pressure medium into said compartment, and means associated with said fitting for admitting a low pressure medium to said compartment and for reducing the rate of flow and the pressure of a high pressure medium to render it adaptable for use to fill said compartment,

2. In apparatus of the class described, the

vclass described, the

combination of a'ilotation compartment. a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a vfluid `pressure medium into said compartment, and 'a flow restricting device associated with said yattached to said compartment for introducing a fluid pressure medium :into said compartment; a flow restricting device associated with said fitting including a movable member, said device being provided with an aperture for reducing the rate of flow and the pressure of a high pressure medium which is thereby adapted to be admitted to said compartment, andprovided with an enlarged passage for admitting a low pressure medium adapted to be closed when a high pressure medium is admitted; and resilient means for normally maintaining the movable member of said device in a position to permit a low pressure medium to pass through said passage.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a flotation compartment; a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a `fluid pressure medium into said compartment; flow restricting device associated with said fitting including a movable member, said device .being provided with a relatively small aperture for reducing the rate of flow and the pressure of a high pressure medium which is thereby adapted to be admitted to said compartment, and provided with an enlarged passage for admitting a low pressure medium adapted to be closed when a high pressure medium is admitted; and resilient means for normally maintaining the movable member of said device in a position to permit a pressure medium to pass through said passage, said resilient means being adapted to yield upon the admission of a pressure medium exceeding a predetermined pressure to permit the movable member of said device to move into a position whereby now of the pressure medium through the passage is prevented.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of la flotation compartment; a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a fluid pressure medium into said compartment; and filling pressure controlling means associated with said fitting comprising a casing member having a valve seat and a movable valve member adapted to be moved into seating relation with said seat by a high `pressure medium, one of said membershaving a passage co-extensive with said valve member for permitting the flow of a pressure medium past said valve member when the latter is unseated, said valve member having an aperture effecting communication between said passage and said compartment to permit the flow of a pressure medium through said valve member when the latter is seated and unseated.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a flotation compartment; a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a. fluid pressure medium into said compartment; and lling .pressure controlling means associated with said fitting comprising a casing member having a valve seat, a movable valve member adapted to be moved into seating relation with said seat having a passage co-extensive with said valve member for permitting the flow of a pressure medium past said valve member when the latter is unseated, said valve member having an aperture effecting communication between said passage and said compartment to permit the flow of a pressure medium through said valve member when the latter is seated and unseated, and a resilient member adapted to maintain said valve member unseated when a low pressure medium ows through said means and adapted to yield and permit seating of \said valve member when a high pressure medium flows through said means.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a flotation compartment; a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a fluid pressure medium into said compartment; and filling pressure controlling means associated with said fitting comprising a casing member having a valve seat at one end and a movable valve member, one end of which is adapted to be moved into seating relation with said seat by a high pressure medium, one of said members having a passage co-extensive with said valve member for permitting the flow of a pressure medium past said valve member when the latter is unseated, said valve member having an aperture effecting communication between said passage and said compartment to permit the flow of a pressure medium through said valve member when the latter is seated and unseated, said casing member having a valve seat at its other end against which the other end of said valve member is adapted to abut to prevent the escape of fluid medium from said compartment.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a flotation compartment; a fitting attached to said compartment for introducing a fluid pressure medium into said compartment; and filling pressure controlling means associated with said fitting comprising a casing member having a valve seat at one end and a movable valve member, one end of which is adapted to be moved into seating relation with said seat by a high pressure medium, one of said members having a passage co-extensive with said valve member for permitting the flow of a pressure medium past said valve member when the latter is unseated, said valve member having an aperture effecting communication between said passage and said compartment to permit the flow of a pressure medium through said valve member when the latter is seated and unseated, said casing member having a valveseat at its other end against which the 'other end of said valve member is adapted to abut to preventthe escape of fluid medium from said compartment, and a resilient member adapted to maintain said valve member unseated when a low pressure medium flows through said means and adapted to yield and permit seating of said valve member when a high pressure medium flows through said means.

9. A device for controlling the filling pressure of a medium used for filling the flotation compartments of life-saving devices, comprising in combination a valve casing having a chamber provided with a valve seat at each end, a substantially cup-shaped valve member having an open end adapted to seat on one of said valve seats and having a closed end adapted to seat on the other of said valve seats, and a spring member for normally urging the closed end of said valve member toward its valve seat, said valve casing and valve member having a passage between adjacent wall portions thereof for permitting the flow of a pressure medium from one valve seat to the other valve seat when vboth endl of the valve member are unseated, said valve member having an aperture for permitting the flow of a pressure medium when one end of said valve memberis unseated.

10. A device for controlling the filling pressure of a medium used for filling the flotation compartments of life-saving devices, comprising in combination a valve casing provided with an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat adjacent the inlet and outlet, a substantially cup-shaped valve member having an open end adapted to seat on the valve seat adjacent said outlet and having a closed end adapted to seat on the valve seat adjacent said inlet, and a spring member for normally urging the closed end of said valve member toward its valve seat, said valve .member having a plurality of longitudinally extending passages adjacent the wall of said valve casing for permitting the flow of the pressure medium from the inlet to the outlet when both ends of the valve member are unseated, said valve member having an aperture in the side wall thereof extending from one of the passages to the open end of said valve member for permitting the flow of a pressure medium when the open end of said valve member is seated on the valve seat adiacent the outlet of said casing.

11. In a flow restricting device, a casing having a valve chamber provided with inlet and outlet openings and with a valve seat defining said outlet opening, a valve member movable in said chamber and adapted to engage said valve seat, said valve member being formed with a plurality of distinct passage means having outlet means disposed out of the confines of said valve seat when said valve member is engaging said valve seat. saidvalve member being formed with passage means having outlet means disposed within the confines of said valve seat when said valve member is engaging said valve seat, all of said passage means permitting flow of fluid medium from said inlet opening through said chamber to said outlet opening, said valve member being adapted to be disposed in spaced relation with said valve seat to .permit flow of low pressure medium through all of said passage means to said outlet opening and being movable, by high pressure fluid medium introduced through said inlet opening, into engagement with said valve seat to preclude the flow of high pressure medium to said outlet opening through the outlet means disposed without the confines of said valve seat.

HENRY ERNEST HEIGIS. THEODORE NORRISON HANNANT. 

